Intel picks up Havok for $21M

by Justin McElroy { Sep 17th 2007 at 11:50AM }

Even if you're not familiar with the name Havok, you probably know of the games that have used the company's technology, a list that includes BioShock, Stranglehold, Halo 2, Half Life 2, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and Crackdown. Intel announced today that they've purchased the entire company, a value of around $110 million. The last $21 million sliver was purchased from an Irish holding company called TVC.

As video game bloggers, it's important for us to use our expertise to frame the news in a context that you can use and relate to your daily life. So, here's what this announcement means to you: When you have to press start to skip through a Havok logo before you can play a game, know that you've helped Intel make some more money. ... That is all.

Tags: havok, intel

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Fernando Rocker (NDF - Water Ring) @ Sep 17th 2007 11:55AM

Intel Quad: Viiv and Havok support.

hvnlysoldr @ Sep 17th 2007 11:56AM

Thanks for framing it for our gamer minds. It makes all the difference when we specifically know how this will affect us.

blooh (CDF - Ass Ring) @ Sep 17th 2007 12:01PM

didnt know hl2 was made with same engine as bioshock, i thought bioshock was using UT3

hvnlysoldr @ Sep 17th 2007 12:04PM

The Havok physics engine is just for physics. BioShock also runs on unreal 3 for most of the graphics and mechanics.

Fernando Rocker (NDF - Water Ring) @ Sep 17th 2007 12:04PM

Havok its not a game engine... its a physics engine.

Fernando Rocker (NDF - Water Ring) @ Sep 17th 2007 12:01PM

Windows Vista Service Pack 2 will support physic windows and menus.

Phranctoast @ Sep 17th 2007 12:06PM

and the update that makes it all work will be in service pack 3.

bearxor @ Sep 17th 2007 12:21PM

Right... Because Intel makes Microsoft Windows...

brokenscope @ Sep 17th 2007 12:07PM

This is middleware. It can be attached to any well designed engine. UT3 and the Source engine can employ havok. The halo games used the engine.

I think this bodes well for physics performance on multi core systems. No doubt intel will push to make havok use multi core chips very effectively.

James @ Sep 17th 2007 12:40PM

Ah, this is good news. Tighter physics integration for my lovely upcoming Intel computers.

Jonah Falcon @ Sep 17th 2007 12:43PM

This is sending ripples throughout the industry.

hoop @ Sep 17th 2007 2:18PM

I have no idea what was running through my mind, but as I skimmed over your comment, I swear I thought it said:

"This is sending nipples throughout the industry."

...the mental images...

Jonah Falcon @ Sep 17th 2007 2:39PM

Frasier: Niles, one last warning. Take it from someone who knows you both: you and Roz are not a good couple.

Niles: I understand you're saying that, but believe me, I have seen a new Roz today and underneath that brazen exterior she is a sweet, sensitive, shy, and vulnerable woman.

Roz: [calling from kitchen] Niles, have you seen my nipples?!

Niles shrugs at Frasier, who leaves with a look of disgust. Roz enters from the kitchen with Alice's bottles. The sucking parts of them are missing.

Scooby Doo @ Sep 17th 2007 1:34PM

Actually, this might have a little more far-reaching impact than indicated. In particular, Intel is currently competing with AMD. Can you imagine if all the games listed above are only 'certified' to run on Intel chips?

While this certainly leaves me questions in regards to anti-trust laws, Intel has an image of using their siginficant muscle to manipulate the market. If the chip maker is also the one signing the checks for software development...even if it's middle-ware...you wonder how much support that subsidiary will give to AMD?

I'm kind of surprised that Intel would want to acquire this, although $110 mil is a drop in the bucket for them. It definitely leads to issues where there can be a conflict of interest. As a gamer I prefer to use Intel chips in my PC's, however competition keeps the prices down and I would rather Intel not bully AMD out of the market or we will all suffer. The only thing I can think of that might be positive is that the Havok engine could be optimized for Intel's Duo and Quad Core chips, but that's about all I can come up with.

Jonah Falcon @ Sep 17th 2007 2:36PM

Oh, this is pretty major. The synergistic possibilities between Intel and Havoc are endless.

It also hurts engines like AGEIA, too.

szimm @ Sep 17th 2007 2:31PM

oh dear, i hate all this merging and conglomerating going on...

skittens @ Sep 17th 2007 2:31PM

Sad face for Ageia. With Intel backing it, looks like the Havok phis tools are going to become the standard...I liked that Ageia allowed anyone to use their tools and made it avalible to the masses...

I wonder if they can make their card will work with the Havok engine...but I suspect we are going to see some built in hardware from Intel to counter that and work just for Havok. This is going to get stupid if they don't work together.